Rügen Beach House
Rügen Beach House is a wonderfully relaxing holiday home overlooking a sleepy harbour on the Baltic Coast.
How would you describe Gutshaus Gross Toitin in a nutshell?
The manor itself was probably built in the second half of the 19th century and has a particularly attractive location at the outskirts of a settlement with essentially 270 degrees of open views onto a river valley.
Please tell us bit about the history of Gutshaus Groß Toitin.
The history is quite diverse. It has a long, rather happy history. I think the first mentioning of the property was actually on Valentine’s Day in 1305, and then it prospered over several hundred years as a fiefdom.
Then came the tragic part for a lot of the German country estates. After the second world war, many of the East German estates had fallen into disrepair. We tried to rebuild all of the important architectural elements where possible to uphold and reestablish the classic character. Now it again gives you the authentic feeling of a Prussian country estate from the 19th century.
What was your inspiration to rent Gutshaus Groß Toitin out to holiday guests?
We like having guests. This property is unique in the sense that in the Prussian highland, there are only a few luxury properties open to the public. There are a lot of simple hotels, but showing people how the estate looked back in its heyday was the primary motivation to open it up to guests.
How would you describe the atmosphere of Gutshaus Groß Toitin, with the parks around it?
For one thing, the natural surrounding is a unique one. Off the Baltic Coast, we have a coastal climate with quickly changing skies, particularly in the morning and evening, with very strong colors. And you have the complete openness of space. The population is not very dense up there, so you can look for hundreds of meters through the countryside without any settlements disturbing the eye.
This is, in essence, what we tried to capture for the atmosphere in the house, working a lot with natural colors, and with textures rather than with glamour. The outside is untouched nature, which is unique in Germany, and it is reflected on the inside with the signature of 19th century German-Prussian architecture. The colors are blended to be soothing to the eye, and the shapes reflect the history of the property.
What has been the most rewarding to you personally about renting out the two holiday villas?
That’s very simple — that our guests are happy and that they come back. For us it’s all about making holiday guests happy and providing them with an experience that exceeds their expectations, both in terms of facilities, but more importantly in terms of service.
Our staff try to accommodate each and every wish that guests may have. That’s what sets us apart from any regular hotel experience.
Can you describe what would be the perfect stay at Gutshaus Groß Toitin for you?
The perfect holiday for me is one where you are secluded from any form of mass tourism; you’re on your own but taken care of and you can completely relax and forget the hustle and bustle of the world.
After two or three days maybe you can explore the area more. There’s the whole Baltic Sea and the nature and history of Pomerania to see. And eating and drinking are a big part of it too.
Do you also cater for weddings and celebrations at Gutshaus Groß Toitin?
Absolutely. We are a small property on purpose because we want the seclusion and an intimate setting. At the same time, it’s ideal for any form of small celebration where you want to be with a group of friends or family without disruption from the outside world.
We have a chef who can offer a seven-course dinner in a private dining hall. Our estate can also provide the perfect retreat for companies or organisations to brainstorm on ideas and similar activities.
